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Wow, So much has happened since my last post. I made it safely to Florida, met my team and we hopped on a ship two days later. The weather in Florida was beautiful but too hot for me. The faculty and staff cruised for a day without students, which was nice and quiet. We also did some orientations, planning sessions and training. We got some scheduling out of the way and prepped for students.
I knew from some of the researching I had done, that Valdez, a former advisor of mine from Ohio State had been involved with SAS before in their "Student Affairs at Sea" program. I was hopeful that we might cross paths but sadly learned that the student affairs program wasn't happening. At a social our first evening in the Bahamas, I chatted with a staff member from the SAS home office and she told me that Valdez would be on the ship the next day!
But first let me tell you a bit about Valdez…
Valdez was a Hall Director at Ohio State and I was first introduced to him my freshman year when I was a building rep in our residence hall council. From there I went on to an elected position and I met with Valdez every two weeks in our one on one. This first year of advising, I failed a few classes, changed my major three times and was quite the handful. My second year working with the council, I again had Valdez as my advisor. This was my junior year when I went through some rough times and Valdez was always there to support me and help me through. I knew he had done do much for me, and I wanted to do the same for students. Valdez is one of the main reasons I am in student affairs today.
Valdez was told someone on the ship knew him, but he didn't know who. To my surprise after running around the ship all trying to find his tour group, I walked into the student unon for a meeting, and someone calls out my name. Valdez was in the back of the union! I hadn't seen him in over 6 years and was able to hug him and thank him for all he had done. It was amazing to see him again and be able to show gratitude. I know how much it means to me to have students thank me, I wanted to make sure he knew the impact he had on me. It was truly emotional and so wonderful!
Once we arrived in the Bahamas (Freeport) we had some finalizing to do, and the parent orientation started that evening which we didn't have a part in, so myself and the rest of the RDs took a van, arranged by Valdez, to a nearby port, St Lucaya, we watched a band and grabbed Bahama Mamas. We only last an hour or so, and I noticed we were all yawning so we headed back to the ship.
On Embarkation day, I had a pretty low-key day, mainly staying on my sea of students, answering questions, but in the evening we had our Sea meetings and some other activities. I was able to lead a discussion group for the common reading for the voyage, titled "Shipping Out" it was a pretty good piece and brought up lots of discussion in my group of 13 students.
Today, students started class and I had a low-key day. We begin alcohol service today, where students can have up to 3 drinks. I'm heading there to check out my duties and visit with fellow RDs.
Oh man… Keep on sailing!
Jocelyn
For the record, my location isn't exact...Right now I'm somewhere in the Atlantic :)
- comments
John Student affairs is such a small world!
carolyn Hope you are enjoying each day. You should be in port by now, and am waiting anxiously for your next blog. So don't leave out a single detail !! XO